Graphic representation of a brick floor
The nucleus of the excavated part of the Palace is the atrium, which is surrounded by stoas with floors made of bricks that vary in their dimensions and their stamps. The way they are laid is related to the geometry of the space. Around the perimeter of the stoa there is one row of bricks laid with the largest face towards the walls of the rooms, while in the rest of the floor the bricks are laid in rows at right angles to the stylobate.

The graphic representation shows that 50 per cent of the bricks would have to be replaced with new ones if the floor were to be fully restored, which ruled out this solution.

Condition
The bricks which survive in bad condition were examined to ascertain their dimensions and the degree of weathering they had suffered. On the floor plan, different colours denote their varying conditions.

Restoration of the brick floor of the peristyle

The project proposes conservation and restoration of the ruined floor of the east stoa wherever the bricks are in quite good condition and the geometry of the lacunae means that a satisfactory aesthetic result can be achieved with a small proportion of new bricks. It is proposed that the floors of the other stoas, where the bricks are ruined, be covered over with earth.

Graphic representation of the brick floorCondition. Ground plan of a section of the brick floorCondition. Table of condition categoriesCondition. Ancient bricks that remain in situ and new bricks that required for the floor restorationBricks in good conditionBricks in bad condition